Lissi's Project

Lissi's Project

WAFW Leadership Program

SIAS University

Henan Province, China

Spring 2015

The women in the WAFW must complete a community service project. The experience has been so rewarding for the women that they continue to go back and provide services above and beyond what is expected of them.  Providing planned community service is an uncommon activity in China.  So many people still live in rural China and it is just common practice to help one another.  But it is uncommon to seek out a need and then plan a solution.  Here is Lissi's story:

Lissi, one of my former students in our program, shared her experience with me.

This is my second time to go to Han village. It is a small village near SIAS.Taking 
advantage of the weekend and helping the villagers to do something, perhaps 
there will be unexpected harvest.

We tell the villagers how to properly brush their teeth and how to keep their mouth 
health.

When we arrived the Han village, We put away our bicycle and walk in the village. 
I saw the field, lane, the small courtyard and the peach blossom. It reminded me
of my own childhood. When I was very young, I swung under the cherry, flied a kite 
in the field, the lovely canola flower was everywhere. Gentle breeze blowed my 
forehead hair and perfect sunshine touched my every inch of skin. This familiar 
path evoked all my childhood memories.

The first family we visited was an extended family with three generations. Young 
parents were playing with their little daughter, while the grandmother was peeling 
peanuts at thedoor. From the bamboo basket, the peanuts and the little child, I 
seem to see a cycle of hope.

My team members and I told them the mouth health knowledge we got form Internet 
research ,books and other person. Grandma was so hospitable.Then we gave away 
the toothbrushes we brought to them and took a picture with them,the feeling of 
happiness filled in my heart and kept spreading over all my body.

We kept walking in a quite and peaceful lane, relaxed and at ease,when we saw 
several senior males were chatting together. Being ready to tell them about mouth 
health, we came up with the toothbrushes to do the demonstration. But initially, it 
seemed that they did not trust us. They thought we were selling these toothbrushes.
Perhaps they have been deceived many times, perhaps the fast-paced life changed 
their concepts of life. It seems that there was only utilitarian in their mind. But we 
must held back our helpless at that time, and repeated our purpose again and again. 
Finally we gained their trust and accepted our toothbrushes. Also they told us the 
history about their hometown. When facing the misunderstandings and difficulties, 
we can chose to give up or keep going,different choice will result in different results.

Apart with these kind seniors, We continued our trip. I thought of the old grandmother 
who I met last time sitting here enjoying the sunshine when I passed an old house 
again, but I did not see her this time. The house was very old, also it is too dark to see 
anything, I was wondering that whether the old grandmother felt lonely and helpless 
living in this old house alone.Actually, I wanted to chat with her, but I was afraid I might 
disturb her resting, I’d better leave it to next time. I will come back.

Without noticing that we have reached the end of the small village soon, two grandmas 
were stripping peanuts.It is not the busy time now, they do the same work like this 
everyday. We showd them two toothbrushes and repeated our topic, and they were 
very happy. The big smile on their face, at the time we were about to leave, they 
gave us lots of peanuts.It was so nice of them. We accepted their kindness, and the 
happiness filled in our heart one more time.

Times flies.We learned a lot from this trip to Han village. We made friend with the 
friendly villagers, and experienced what we have never done before. Also we built our 
team work with team members, and learned how to care about others. Like Jerrie 
said ,that is what makes us human, the capacity to care deeply for others.

I think it is worth to go to Han village, because we can share and pass our love .

Lissi

Christmas Greeting From Emily

Dear All

Greetings From Emily

Henan Province, China

December 2012

I just heard from Emily  after months of silence.  She graduated from college in May and it appears as if she returned to her family home. Her village is near a small town so hopefully, she can get a more professional job.  Otherwise, she will be left with no other choice but to return to working on the farm with her family.

Dear all: it is a long time i didn't contact with each of you since i leave school. I want to send emails to you but i have no courageous to start ! On this special eve i want tell all of you:I miss you . I miss the time  we spent with each other. I miss all the things about SIAS and the women's academy. Have a good wishes ! I love all of you. Don't forget eat apples! Have a good time in this special day!! Hugs ! 

Yours Emily!

Long Man's Cave

Long Man's Cave

Somewhere in China

Spring 2012

I went here with one of my Chinese students.  She wanted to show me the hidden treasures of China. It was a magnificent site. I am surprised it is not one of the man-made wonders of the world.

 

I Heard From Emily

I Heard From Emily

My Former Student

Rural China

Spring 2013

I heard back from Emily.  She is now working but is concerned about losing her English skills because she no longer has contact with anyone who does speak English.  It would really be too bad for her to lose these skills as they are really  marketable skills in China.  If she wants to maintain and improve her skills, she will need to work in one of the large cities.  But then she would have to leave her family and she is single.  So this option is unusual.

"Hi Bridget,I am glad to hear from you . I worked in a big factory as a administrator for human resource after i graduated. The factory was built in my city so it is convenient for me to go home. But during my work i had no chance to speak English . I can't use English daily . I was confused that whether i should change my position . I didn't want to forget my English . Though it is not good . I love English ,I dream that one day i can go abroad use my English. My mother didn't want me give up this position because she want me work in my hometown which she can see me every week . I afraid that if i did not use English frequently i will lost it someday . And i will lose the contact with you , jerrie and MaryAnn. I was afraid that happened one day. What should I do . Do you have any good ideas . What about your life after you leave sias. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. 

Yours EMILY."

Reflection

Reflection

China

Spring 2012

I wish I had stepped back one or two more feet when I took this photo.

 

Rural China 2012

 



An afternoon of board games
 



Tea

The sewing shop



The restaurant street
 

the shopping district
 



Making offerings to the dead
 



Kite Man







The Yam Man





Tea Merchant

 Tea Merchant

Henan Province, China

November 2015

This woman sold this tea drink from her cart on the street.  It was dreadful, dreadful, dreadful.  There were a lot of ingredients in this beverage and most of the things added were unidentifiable to me.  I can usually stomach anything.  But I took one sip of this drink and I wanted to spit it out.  I didn't because the woman was standing right next to me and anxious to seek my approval.  I knocked, swallowed and moved on.  As soon as she was out of my sight, I tossed my cup as quickly as possible.  It was dreadful.

Train Station

 Train Station

Henan Province, China

Spring 2012

China is crowded.  I know that.  There are over a billion people in this country.  They are everywhere. But it wasn't until I went to the train station that I realized exactly how crowded the country is.  This place was packed and space is so limited that there is an undercurrent of panic and aggression.  Far more tickets are sold than seats available.  So there is no room for hesitation when the train pulls up. People became ruthless as they attempted to get on their trains.  There was no thought of apologies as everyone pushed and shoved forward. It was scary.

Sports Festival

Sports Festival

SIAS University

Henan Provence, China

Spring 2012

I was teaching in China at the time and there was a sports festival.  All freshmen were mandated to attend so all 5,000 of them showed up and sat through the event even though it began to rain.  My students were invited to participate and they performed a synchronized dance routine that required hours of practice for the 3 minute presentation. They were so honored to be a part of this moment.

Getting ready to perform



Even though it rained, the performances went right on schedule

Agatha is our student leader



The whole group

Lisa 

Jude

Seeing Her Mother Differently

Seeing Her Mother Differently
A Story from a Young Woman
Sias Univeristy
Henan Provence, China
November 2015

This story was left on the table in my office, where I taught at a Chinese University. It was written by one of my students, but I don’t know which one. And her mother is probably between 40 to 60 years old.


"Last time I told you a love story, I wants to tell you about the story of friendship and a family story next semester. But it looks at as if to be long time. So I can’t wait.
Today I am going to tell you what the deepest reflection I got last winter break. One day I mother told me with a usual tone, “My face is so dry.” I just was interested in the program on TV about being beautiful and I didn’t turn my head to my mother, carelessly listening to the worlds. But when I saw her, the person who had been with me for 21 years old was very unfamiliar. I didn’t know when the wrinkles climbed her face. I didn’t know when there was some exposed white hair and I didn’t know when she had her humpback because of heavy load. I didn’t know…
Didn’t want my mother to take notice of my change. I just said in soft and low voice, “oh, just use some skin care product is OK.”
I had no spirit to continue to watch TV. As I turning it off, I was lost into thought. Regret and self-accusation full of my heart. My mother sacrifice her whole life for my body and mind and I didn’t care her very much. I was thinking why I didn’t do anything for her? I had never read books about elderly people health care. I had never realized (unrecognizable word) was so important for a woman? What makes me by my mother loves me and ignore her change?

Nothing can replace a mother’s love and care. I love my mother and my father!"

\

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Chinese Elementary Schools

Chinese Elementary Schools
Rural China
April 2012

I thought my days in a Catholic, urban elementary school were tough. We were bare-bones with tough, no nonsense teachers.  But my experience pales next to schools in China. When the principal of this school found out I was in town, he ran home and put on his military uniform to greet me.  There are no books, very little paper and a blackboard that is dysfunctional.  There is no heat and poor ventilation. So it is cold in the winter and hot in the summer.  The students sit on these uncomfortable benches for hours at a time.  They go home for lunch and come back until late afternoon.  In the winter they go home when the sun goes down.

Up until about 10 years ago, mandatory education stopped after the fifth grade.  Now, every child must go to school until the completion of 8th grade. Within this graduating class, one or two will go on to high school.  The rest will stay locally and work on the farms.

To read more stories, check out:   bkmemoirs.blogspot.com

 or  bkmemoirs.wordpress.com

Watering His Farm

Watering His Farm

Rural China

April 2012

When I went to China, I was surprised to see how small the farms were.  Each farmer has a plot of land that is not much bigger than 10' X 15".  That's it.  That is the entire farm and the farmer grows one crop and sells that crop or trades it for other crops. He tends to the farm without much more than a few crude hand tools.  He has no access to water so he has to drag buckets of water from his village.

On this day, it was cold and the farmer was in his bare feet so he wouldn't get his shoes wet.  I couldn't believe what conditions he has to work.  I just stopped ad stared at him fro a few minutes. And he couldn't believe that he saw a white woman. I stopped him in his tracks.

A Note From Emily

A Note From Emily
Rural China
Spring 2-14

I just heard from Emily, one of my Chinese students.  I worry about Emily.  She is a great worker with lots of potential but without a local mentor, someone to push her.  She still keeps in touch with those of us who worked with her in the WAFW.  But she has very limited access to us.  She doesn't come from a family that will push and promote her.  They would be content to let her marry a local farmer. So she is on her own to find her own way.

dear  briget 

,I am sorry to reply to you so late , i feel very happy that you tell me your life time , i was missing the time we spend in our campus, Now i have already worked about one and a half years ,  i had no much time to come back to SIAS though I miss it very much .  I am working on planing and trainning in Foxconn , but i didn't want to stay there all my life , the position is not good for my future life and my career so i decided to change another one when i stay here two years i determined to go to Shanghai to start a new job. 

     I tell Jerrie about that she said that i should worked what i really want  to do ,in my present work i can not use English as you know i like English very much if i am not always use it i will lose it , i can not imagine it ,so after i stay in Foxconn for two years i will try to find another job ,  I do not know how it going on but i just want to try and change it .

 I am appreciate about your words you said to me :Emily can do everything!

god bless you ! love you !                                              

 yours Emily

(When I read this note, I want to go back to China and rescue Emily from her mundane life)

Thank You For Coming To China

Thank You For Coming To China
Sias University
Henan Province, China
Spring Semester 2012

I gave my first presentation to my students on Sunday afternoon and when I returned to my apartment, this email was waiting for me:

From: Gloria
Date: Sun, Feb 19, 2012 at 8:22 PM
Subject: Thank you for coming to China to help us!

Dear Bridget,

Welcome to China!

I really appreciate what you have shared with us. Sometime I tend to say "Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" as an excuse. As I mentioned, heart pounding and body shaking blocked me. But I know where there is a will, there is a way. This time I'm inspired by your words and determined voice-Yes, we can and yes, we will! I can't imagine who I will be 30 or 40 years later, of your age. However, I believe the actions I take today decide my destiny. Strive for a meaningful life! Yes, I can! Yes, I will!

Plus, I've volunteered to express China of my understanding on Wednesday. Hope I can help you to know more about China. Besides, I've got an account at the Linkedin website. Would you like
to add me?

Best regards!
Yours Gloria

100 Students

100 Students

A High School in China

Henan Province, China

Spring 2012

I visited this school one afternoon in the spring. Because I am American and speak English, I was treated to a celebrity status.  I was allowed to interrupt class and meet with his students. 

This teacher has 100 high school students in his classroom. His students sit amongst all of these books and papers which are shared by another class of 100 students. The students all live at the school and go home for holidays at the wimp of the school administration.  Sometimes the students go to school for six days in a row or 15 days in a row or a month.  And then they have a break and they scatter to all corners of the province.

To read more stories, check out:   bkmemoirs.blogspot.com

 or  bkmemoirs.wordpress.com

Chicken Feet

Chicken Feet

Sias University

Henan Provence, Chinas

Winter 2012

OMG, my students ate these chicken feet all day long.  They would eat them as a snack and they loved these feet.  "They are so good," one student honestly told me.  They buy five or six at at time and eat them cold and crispy.  Someone was always offering me a foot and I wanted to vomit every time I saw one of these deep fried, slimy things.  I would not eat them.

 CHINA- SPRING 2012

I taught in China at Sias University in Henan Providence during the spring of 2012.